Adebolajo, 29, and Michael Adebowale, 22, of Greenwhich, murdered Fusilier Rigby in Woolwhich in May and a jury at the Old Bailey found them guilty in December but their sentencing was put on hold by trial judge Mr Justice Sweeney while the latest judgement was awaited.

The Strasbourg-based human rights court decided seven months ago that all convictions should be reviewed after 25 years but today, the Government’s argument that “life should mean life” in the “most heinous cases” was backed by the appeal judges.

They will now be sentenced at the Old Bailey on February 26.

The father of Kirk Redpath, a Romford soldier killed in Iraq and former classmate of Adebolajo at Marshalls Park School, hails the ruling a triumph.

Colin Redpath, 56, of Hornchurch said: “Life should mean life in murders like that.

“As I said before, I still believe in the death penalty for them.

“I agree with the ruling.

“They have human rights and will get medical treatment and three meals a day.

“If you haven’t got the death penalty then [life imprisonment] is the next best thing.”

It is believed that Adebolajo attended Kirk’s funeral in 2007. L/Cpl Redpath was killed aged 22 by an improvised explosive devise (IED).

Havering residents took to the Recorder’s Facebook page to discuss the ruling’s effect on Adebolajo’s sentencing.

Mike Weller said: “He should have the death penalty. Take a life, lose your own.”